By Larry Schweiger

Veterans of the U.S. armed forces are doing a bus tour around the country speaking on energy independence and climate change as national security matters. Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe called the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans touring with Operation FREE "traitors" in an email to the entire Pennsylvania state delegation on Friday.

What’s even more amazing is that he’s still standing by his comments. Our dependence on foreign oil and climate change threaten America’s interests. The Center for Naval Analysis, comprised of eleven retired generals, found that climate change is a "threat multiplier that required the full attention of the Department of Defense and US government to act before it is too late."

And a new report from the National Research Council finds that America’s current energy mix has a "hidden cost" of about $120 billion a year – not including the costs of climate change or U.S. military expenditures needed to protect our access to foreign oil.

I wonder if Rep. Metcalfe knows that once the cost of securing our access to foreign oil is factored in, the true cost of gas is $10 a gallon?

The courageous Operation FREE veterans understand the sacrifice that American military families are making every day to protect America. Why should we continue to put our service men and women in harm’s way by not taking action to secure America with clean energy?

Rep. Metcalfe doesn’t speak for all Pennsylvanians. As a native Pennsylvanian, I call these veterans heroes and thank them for their courage speaking up for our energy independence.

Now we need to do our part. Learn more about how you can help keep America clean, strong and secure by passing legislation that will improve our energy efficiency, boost clean energy and cut climate change pollution.